FIFO—First In, First Out—is the foundational principle of food storage rotation. Older stock used before newer stock. Simple concept. Surprisingly hard to maintain consistently.
Why FIFO Matters
Without FIFO:
- Newer stock gets used while older expires
- Spoilage waste increases
- Quality decreases (using older items)
- Food safety risk increases
With FIFO:
- Stock turns over properly
- Minimal spoilage waste
- Consistent quality
- Food safety maintained
Implementation Fundamentals
Clear dating: Every item labelled with date received (and use-by if different)
Systematic placement: New stock goes behind/below existing. Old stock to front/top.
Regular rotation: Staff trained to pull from front/top first.
Inspection: Regular checks that rotation is happening correctly.
Common Failure Modes
Receiving shortcuts: Deliveries put wherever there's space, not behind existing stock.
Busy service: During rush, staff grab whatever's easiest, not oldest.
Poor visibility: Items hidden or hard to see aren't rotated.
Inadequate labelling: Missing or unclear dates mean rotation can't happen properly.
No accountability: Nobody owns rotation; nobody checks it.
Physical Setup
Design storage to support FIFO:
- Clear sight lines: Can see all items easily
- Accessible arrangement: Front items reachable without moving others
- Standardised containers: Consistent sizes stack properly
- Proper shelving: Strong enough for weight, sized for containers
- Good lighting: Can read dates easily
Labelling Systems
Handwritten dates: Simple, cheap, prone to illegibility Printed labels: Cleaner, requires label printer Day dots: Colour-coded by day, visual and fast Digital tracking: Scanning system, most sophisticated
Choose based on your operation size and capability.
Training and Culture
FIFO works when it's habit:
- Initial training for all staff
- Regular reinforcement
- Manager modelling correct behaviour
- Recognition for good practice
- Correction of mistakes immediately
Monitoring Compliance
Spot checks: Random inspection of rotation Spoilage tracking: High spoilage indicates FIFO failure Mystery audits: Periodic full assessment Waste analysis: What's expiring suggests rotation issues
Learn about storage and waste management as part of comprehensive waste reduction.